Joao Felix, the $137 million prince of Portuguese soccer, is set to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps and take La Liga by storm

Barnaby Lane, provided by

Published
1:27 pm CDT, Saturday, August 17, 2019

Photo by AP Images —Manu Fernandez

Joao Felix, 19, become the fourth most expensive player of all time when he joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica this summer in a deal worth $137 million.

Felix made his first team debut at Benfica less than a year ago, but quickly established himself as one of Europe's hottest young talents — scoring 20 goals in all competitions for the Portuguese champion last season.

Pressure is on Felix to fill the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo for the Portugal national team, but the youngster told Goal: "Cristiano is Cristiano and I want to be myself."

He is expected to make his La Liga debut Sunday when Atletico welcomes Getafe to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Joao Felix was on the verge of leaving SL Benfica to join West Ham United in 2018. But within one year, he became the fourth most expensive footballer of all time when he signed a $137.5 million deal with the UEFA Champions League contender Atletico Madrid.